Dasukigate: Okonjo-Iweala blasts Falana over linkage with $2.1bn arms scandal
Former Finance
Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has described as malicious attempts by Lagos
lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), to link her with the $2.1 billion arms scandal.
Falana had
written the International Criminal Court, ICC, asking it to investigate those
allegedly involved in the arms deal, including the former
National Security
Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)
‘’The malicious attempt by Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana to mix Dr Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala up in issues that have nothing to do with her in his letter to
the International Criminal Court, ICC, is a desperate joke by an
integrity-challenged charlatan.
‘’This
misadventure shows that the so-called learned lawyer does not have any idea of
what the mandate of the ICC is about.
‘’He has
resorted to this action because his previous efforts to tarnish her image,
through his discredited NGO, SERAP and petitions to the EFCC – failed because
they were lacking in credibility.
‘’This latest
effort to try to attach her name falsely confirms that Femi Falana is nothing
but a tool of corrupt elements whose interests were hurt by the work Dr.
Okonjo-Iweala did in fighting corruption while she was in office.
‘’These elements
have now made a habit of making false allegations against Dr Okonjo-Iweala
whenever she receives any national or international recognition for her work.
‘’The pattern is
clear and Nigerians should be alert to it. But Dr Okonjo-Iweala will not be
intimidated from going on with her life and performing her duties. She will not
give in to cowardly and unmanly bullying.
‘’Falana’s
latest attempt to implicate Dr Okonjo-Iweala falsely suggests that he is
suffering from an ailment that may be described as Chronic Cerebral Amnesia
(CCA) because he simply has no grasp of the facts.
‘’Contrary to
Falana’s lies, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has absolutely nothing to do with the alleged
misuse of $2.1billion by the office of the former National Security Adviser.
Falana and his sponsors are simply trying to invent a connection where there is
none.
‘’The January
20, 2015 memo in which Dr Okonjo-Iweala sought and received the approval of
former President Jonathan for the release of part of the newly returned Abacha
funds to the NSA for purchase of arms is totally separate from the $2.1 billion
issue.
‘’The memo which
is now in the public domain speaks for itself. The release of the resources was
in response to an approval by the former President following a meeting chaired
by him after a committee had considered the request.
‘’The memo
clearly documented Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s insistence that the proper procedure be
followed, subject to appropriation and according to financial regulations. Dr.
Okonjo-Iweala went further to state that the former NSA should account for the
funds to the former President since she is not a member of the Security
Council.
‘’The attempt to
link Okonjo-Iweala to the $2.1 billion issue is therefore dead on arrival.”
Sources:vanguardnews/googleimage
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